tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139337832024-03-23T15:12:30.740-03:00Kinny's CommentsPaul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-29668753036391752382012-11-25T04:32:00.001-04:002012-11-25T04:32:47.704-04:00If you want to leave, can I come too?I'm a little confused by Justin Trudeau's comments regarding Albertans. "This country, Canada, belongs to Quebec." Help me out on this one Justin. If you guys separate, do the rest of us have to go with you?<br />
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See the original interview <a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/justin-trudeau-says-sorry/1986831052001">here</a>.(courtesy Sun News Network)<br />
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<br />Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-59837362535393002442011-09-15T10:51:00.000-03:002011-09-15T10:51:42.696-03:00They should have been selling whoppers instead of telling whoppers...From the Globe & Mail: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-calls-for-probe-of-pei-immigration-program/article2166833/">RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery in a PEI immigration program</a><br />
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<em>The federal government is calling in the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery in a PEI immigration program that allowed hundreds of primarily Chinese nationals to buy their way into Canada. </em><br />
<em>In less than three weeks, Islanders will vote on whether to re-elect Robert Ghiz’s Liberal government. His party is leading in the polls, but has been on the defensive since 2008 because relatives of the Premier, along with cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and several MLAs, benefited financially from the immigrant investor program. </em><br />
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<em>“Although there are clear political motivations behind these allegations – which have been raised repeatedly in the past and shown to have no substance – government will co-operate fully with any formal inquiries into these matters,” Mr. Ghiz said in a statement to The Globe. “I would also note that it is not overly surprising that those making the allegations waited three years to do so, and that their actions coincide with a provincial election.” </em><br />
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<em>While some deals have been confirmed – immigrant investor money went to a Burger King owned by Liberal MLA Bush Dumville that later went bankrupt, and the deputy minister in charge of the file was asked to pay back funds that went to businesses connected to his family – the government has never released a full list of companies that got investments. </em><br />
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<em></em>Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-45881853044657829332011-08-23T00:07:00.000-03:002011-08-23T00:07:18.557-03:00Porch Lights For Jack Layton<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Jack-Layton-1950-2011/166155473458476?sk=wall">I just received a facebook invitation to leave my porch lights on for Jack Layton.</a><br />
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Respectfully, I had to decline the invitation. I disagreed with his politics, but how would leaving my porch light on honor his memory? Leaving a light on for an environmentalist makes as much sense as blowing up a local mosque or church to celebrate religious freedom. <br />
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Sorry facebook friends, but I think if you really loved Jack Layton, you would at least have paid attention to the things that meant something to him. If you really want to honor him, quit posting his open letter to Canadians to your facebook page and shut the damn computer off instead.<br />
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Just sayin'.<br />
Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-65588874077531625652011-08-22T10:30:00.000-03:002011-08-22T10:30:22.154-03:00RIP Jack Layton<a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2011/08/20110822-084757.html">A sad day for the millions of Canadians that liked Jack Layton</a>. <br />
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Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-50618233571289389182011-06-14T22:28:00.000-03:002011-06-14T22:28:46.967-03:00Aren't You Glad These Guys Aren't Doing Your Tax Returns?From the <a href="http://www.thehilltimes.ca/dailyupdate/view/720million_of_programs_and_operations_on_chopping_block_this_fiscal_year_06-14-2011">Hill Times</a>:<br />
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<em>"The Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission is targeted for a 20 per-cent reduction in its spending, to $4.5-million from $4.7-million"</em><br />
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I don't know if it was the fault of the author, or the special math formula that the NDP use, but cutting a budget from $4.7 million to $4.5 million is not a 20% reduction. It's a 4.26 % reduction. <br />
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I predict a series of consecutive strong, stable, national majority conservative governments if this keeps up. <br />
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Just saying.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-91793195178158859392011-06-09T13:06:00.000-03:002011-06-09T13:06:59.117-03:00A page out of history...Charles Adler sums up the difference between the efforts of Brigitte DePape and the many young Canadians that gave their lives in defence of freedom on the beaches of Normandy 67 years ago:<br />
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<em>"Our country took nearly a thousand casualties on D-Day and many times during the five year successful effort to Stop Fascism from having Global Dominion. I am not here today to bury Brigitte the Page. I am here to use her You Tube moment to make the point that 67 years ago thousands of Canadians, most of whom were her age or younger, were prepared to sacrifice themselves to preserve freedom and democracy and those journalists who covered it and analysed didn't need to create a fairy tale, didn't need to spin spin spin."</em><br />
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Read the entire article here: <a href="http://www.charlesadler.com/2011/06/the-blood-red-line-in-the-sand-between-valour-and-vulgar.html">The Blood Red Line in The Sand Between Valour and Vulgar</a>Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-13659567986371823662011-05-30T14:25:00.000-03:002011-05-30T14:25:57.508-03:00Testicles on Twitter...I can almost hear the Liberal radio advertisement now:<br />
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<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/29/pc-candidates-privates-appear-on-twitter">"Don't vote Progressive Conservative. You can clearly see they're nuts"</a><br />
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Definately not the old, stodgy stereotype typically associated with conservatives.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-34375122882060574002011-05-04T17:26:00.000-03:002011-05-04T17:26:47.609-03:00What would Pat Martin say about this?Over at <a href="http://bcblue.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/ndp-vegas-mp-has-forged-signatures-on-nomination-papers/">BC Blue</a>, there's some discussion about the validity of the signatures on NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau’s nomination papers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/05/04/pol-ndp-brosseau.html">From CBC:</a><br />
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"<em>Two people whose names appear on the nomination papers for the NDP's newly elected MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau say they never provided their signatures to support her candidacy.</em><br />
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<em>Radio-Canada reported Wednesday that the signatures of René Young and his wife are on Brosseau's papers, but the couple doesn't remember agreeing to endorse her.</em><br />
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<em>Young says the signature looks like his, but he has no recollection of being asked to support Brosseau's nomination as a candidate in the Quebec riding of Berthier-Maskinongé. He said his wife's name is also on the list but the signature bears no resemblance to hers."</em><br />
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Is Pat Martin going to call out one of his own? It's not like somebody simply inserted the word "not"; it's a forgery of someone's signature supporting this candidates right to represent thousands of constituents in one of the highest offices of the land. <br />
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Look out, Ruth Ellen. <a href="http://cruxofthematterinfo.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/bev-odas-opening-statement-proves-she-is-telling-the-truth/">We all remember how Pat treats women that he thinks are liars or imcompetent.</a> (h/t Crux of the Matter)Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-15261926205882599972011-05-03T16:06:00.001-03:002011-05-04T22:03:04.827-03:00Libby Davies: There She Goes Again...Just finished watching Libby Davies on CPAC in her first post 2011 election interview. (3:00 - 4:00PM Atlantic time, May 3/2011)<br />
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(<a href="http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&hl=e&clipID=5569">Watch here at the 1:57 mark</a>)<br />
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As usual, she couldn't get through to the end of the broadcast without insulting the host and closing with a cryout to Jesus. <br />
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Jack, when you consider your opposition posts, you may want to consider putting this windbag in the back row. Her lack of courtesy and extreme ideology are an ambarrassment to both Canadians and your party.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-73853195337172033892011-05-03T13:18:00.001-03:002011-05-03T13:21:13.511-03:00First The Communists......And now the socialists. <br />
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<a href="http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/05/03/kelly-mcparland-michael-ignatieffs-last-day-in-the-office/">From the National Post:</a><br />
<em>Michael Ignatieff told reporters this morning he is stepping down as Liberal leader and would like to return to “teaching young Canadians.”</em><br />
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It must be quite disheartening to have your ancestors chased out of their country by an uprising of the ordinary citizen, as happened during the Russian Revolution. <br />
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A century later, we have Michael Ignatieff defeated due in large part to an uprising of the commoner, the everyday, ordinary, beer drinking Canadian. <br />
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There is a bright side in all of this. Michael is passionate about teaching, and he now has the opportunity to focus his efforts on the thing that makes him truly happy. In the end, happiness is what defines success and Michael has every opportunity now to further his own success. <br />
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Best wishes from all of us in your future endeavors Michael.<br />
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Sincerely, <br />
The Canadian Electorate.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-36272637916365531372011-05-03T01:10:00.001-03:002011-05-03T01:11:02.129-03:00That was worth the $300 millionWe now have a Conservative majority. We now have an NDP opposition.<br />
Interestingly enough, not only did Quebecers vote for a guy that they could have a beer with, but also a girl that could pour the beer.<br />
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The Liberals are reduced to a point where one in every 30 questions will be asked by Wayne Easter in his usual shrill, and the Bloc is toast. <br />
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C'est la vie.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-70576691897499875242011-05-02T13:28:00.000-03:002011-05-02T13:28:10.369-03:00Muslim scholars argue bin Laden's sea burial a violation of traditionFrom The Globe & Mail: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/americas/muslim-scholars-argue-bin-ladens-sea-burial-a-violation-of-tradition/article2006782/">Muslim scholars argue bin Laden's sea burial a violation of tradition</a><br />
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<em>"Muslim clerics Monday said Osama bin Laden's burial at sea was a violation of Islamic tradition that may further provoke militant calls for revenge attacks against U.S. targets.</em><br />
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<em>Although there appears to be some room for debate over the burial — as with many issues within the faith — a wide range of Islamic scholars interpreted it as a humiliating disregard for the standard Muslim practice of placing the body in a grave with the head pointed toward the holy city of Mecca."</em><br />
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Sorry clerics, but I don't think you'll find enough sympathy to fill a thimble from the citizens of any liberal democracy, at least on this planet. If Osama Bin Laden was concerned about his passage to paradise, perhaps he should have given some consideration to the families and friends of the victims of 9/11 and all the other terrorist attacks or attempts. <br />
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My own personal choice is cremation. Others might choose burial. Those that burned in the twin trade towers weren't given a choice either way.<br />
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Just sayin'.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-1470652306561472952011-05-02T02:01:00.001-03:002011-05-02T02:07:58.315-03:00One Less Person Singing KumbayaNow that we've all heard the news of the death of Bin Laden, we should consider where Jack Layton will proceed should he assume the office of Prime Minister tomorrow. As if there weren't enough reasons to worry about the NDP winning or hijacking control of parliament on May 2nd, now we have to consider the likes of <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/06/14/video-ndp-deputy-leader-faces-backlash-over-israel-comments/">Libby Davies</a> as a potential Foreign Minister, or Minister of Defence. <br />
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Just sayin'.<br />
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<a href="http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110501-red-alert-osama-bin-laden-killed?utm_source=redalert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=110501&utm_content=readmore&elq=31d71c23d27a4209a373656054d474bb">From Stratfor:</a> <br />
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<em>"At this early hour, the only thing possible is speculation on the consequences of bin Laden’s death, and that speculation is inherently flawed. Still, the importance of his death has its consequences. Certainly one consequence will be a sense of triumph in the United States. To others, this will be another false claim by the United States. For others it will be a call to war. We know little beyond what we have been told, but we know it matters."</em><br />
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Read more: Red Alert: Osama bin Laden Killed <br />
STRATFORPaul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-8619776035144099692011-05-01T19:56:00.000-03:002011-05-01T19:56:51.763-03:00Now I Understand Why Jack Layton Wants To Abolish The Senate...<a href="http://sen.parl.gc.ca/home-e.htm">The Conservatives have 52 Senate Seats. The Liberals have 46 Senate Seats</a>. The NDP have 0 Senate Seats. Good luck trying to pass your bills into law Jack. Jack may get a majority, and he may push all his bills past 3rd reading, but who's going to put them into law?<br />
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If the Conservative Party doesn't have a majority and the NDP & BQ form a coalition, how long would it be before the stalemate would send us back to the polls? Could the Governor General use this as a way to deny the reins of power to Jack Layton if he tries to form a coalition?<br />
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I'm no political genius; I just pretend to be one on the intertubes. Will someone with some knowledge in this area enlighten me?Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-23932263799139822402011-05-01T10:16:00.001-03:002011-05-01T21:09:28.430-03:00Conservative Rally In PEIJust came back from the rally in Stratford, PE.<br />
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The school was packed solid! It was so hot in there I was sweating like a pedophile on a school bus. There were a dozen or so protesters outside, but I think the problem was that they misunderstood when Jack Layton said he needed a hand.<br />
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The Prime Minister's remarks were pretty much the same as the other rallies that I've seen, except he looked more confident. I was surprised by the level of energy he displayed considering the difference in time zones and the hour. Judging by the reaction from the crowd, it appears that Wayne Easter is going to have an extremely tough fight if he has any hope of retaining his seat in Malpeque. I'm off to work now; it'll be interesting to see the media commentary on this visit later today.<br />
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Update: <a href="http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/05/01/john-ivison-harper-regains-confidence-in-final-blitz/">Here's John Ivison's take on it courtesy of the National Post</a>:<br />
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<em>"He took the stage with the bounce of a man who knows he’s going to win, and possibly win big. The feeling in the Tory camp is one of relief that the NDP tide appears to be ebbing, combined with a quiet confidence that vote splits might be enough to give them a majority."</em>Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-13608508509738439382011-05-01T01:34:00.002-03:002011-05-01T10:18:29.925-03:00Sometime During The Secret Coalition Talks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1yoxaX0cc5ZcNEU0HU1x66L_CmLndg5BGMCiBVfI6gLAnHMDTFWJbCmK4YZWCtn434pa2s1eMThbZWgLXubG6m-I_B81tBevefntb7GBQcuuzhXJXfeJ9jhSAq-yeikYMQxf/s1600/Liberal+Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1yoxaX0cc5ZcNEU0HU1x66L_CmLndg5BGMCiBVfI6gLAnHMDTFWJbCmK4YZWCtn434pa2s1eMThbZWgLXubG6m-I_B81tBevefntb7GBQcuuzhXJXfeJ9jhSAq-yeikYMQxf/s320/Liberal+Bus.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"We had to stop the bus to let my friend Jack off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now where did you say that massage clinic was?"</div>Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-90966944955815419642011-04-28T16:57:00.000-03:002011-04-28T16:57:40.196-03:00The Accidental Prime Minister Part 2<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The average voter on May 2nd:</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe1hhKxSV2SXLyCNcR4wAgE0y0L8ZYjF8KtEeCf6H4mvVI9tVv1TpwRiiwNIn4JNXNnN3fSJcUAj4gYoRdcNoTtJzqDH5_js0l14HeJyAOwCFDxMifSEWTOBfmBwJMnz8pcyc/s1600/orange+crush.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe1hhKxSV2SXLyCNcR4wAgE0y0L8ZYjF8KtEeCf6H4mvVI9tVv1TpwRiiwNIn4JNXNnN3fSJcUAj4gYoRdcNoTtJzqDH5_js0l14HeJyAOwCFDxMifSEWTOBfmBwJMnz8pcyc/s1600/orange+crush.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The average voter on May 3rd:</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe1hhKxSV2SXLyCNcR4wAgE0y0L8ZYjF8KtEeCf6H4mvVI9tVv1TpwRiiwNIn4JNXNnN3fSJcUAj4gYoRdcNoTtJzqDH5_js0l14HeJyAOwCFDxMifSEWTOBfmBwJMnz8pcyc/s1600/orange+crush.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe1hhKxSV2SXLyCNcR4wAgE0y0L8ZYjF8KtEeCf6H4mvVI9tVv1TpwRiiwNIn4JNXNnN3fSJcUAj4gYoRdcNoTtJzqDH5_js0l14HeJyAOwCFDxMifSEWTOBfmBwJMnz8pcyc/s1600/orange+crush.bmp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQu2brP07qfgUzAbv2PE0zxj4c9qqvgXIPl-YukpoQD_31ZFTepPE2y9gTjXpu60vzqPMvBR_0tDlEzB5Qa3T7KvLYjWL8YFLwCXM5GvT3xpkfJw3mR6YUxw2gRq7KXEjEQIu/s1600/Vodka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQu2brP07qfgUzAbv2PE0zxj4c9qqvgXIPl-YukpoQD_31ZFTepPE2y9gTjXpu60vzqPMvBR_0tDlEzB5Qa3T7KvLYjWL8YFLwCXM5GvT3xpkfJw3mR6YUxw2gRq7KXEjEQIu/s200/Vodka.jpg" width="143px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-11106759875690450672011-04-28T15:26:00.001-03:002011-04-28T15:29:59.560-03:00The Accidental Prime MinisterAs we're now facing daily polls of Jack Layton's NDP replacing the Liberal Party of Canada as the official opposition, or Jack accidently being voted in as Prime Minister by legions of eighteen year olds living in their parents' basement, there seems to be some debate about what has caused Michael Ignatieff's poll numbers to do everything but "rise up".<br />
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In the Toronto Star, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/981471--hebert-a-liberal-campaign-of-self-destruction?bn=1">Chantal Hebert</a> writes "<em>To follow the 2011 Liberal election campaign has been like watching a plane crash in slow motion.</em>"<br />
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<a href="http://warrenkinsella.com/2011/04/kcccc-day-34-orange-crush-ingredients-and-nutritional-information/">Warren Kinsella</a> also outlines some pretty compelling arguments for the demise of the Liberal Party.<br />
"<em>His party’s policies are irrelevant (and contain ingredients that are very bad for you). They have some not-bad policies – and they have some that are plain nutty (like reopening the Constitution, or multiple billions in promises that Jacko doesn’t know how to pay for). But, in the main, his party’s policies don’t matter. Canadians have decided they want to vote for someone they like, not for someone with the best policies. Jack, they like. Harper, especially, they don’t. The policy analysis of many Canadians: Harper and Ignatieff are too right-wing. I’m voting for the only guy who isn’t right wing."</em><br />
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Perhaps this would help explain <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/981662--combative-ignatieff-says-tories-can-go-to-hell?bn=1">Michael Ignatieff's meltdown in an interview with the Toronto Star</a> where he said "<em>Jack Layton is “getting a free ride” and telling Conservatives “they can go to hell."</em><br />
With the stress of likely being held to account for the failings of the previous Liberal governments, now might be an appropriate time for him to <a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/federalelection/archives/2011/04/20110428-072324.html">light one up, just like in his youth</a>. Curl up and write a good book. What the hell.<br />
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For those of you still sitting on the fence with the choice of a safe, stable majority Conservative government or an unsure, weary worn out Liberal Party, just ask yourself one question: "Isn't voting Liberal a lot like betting that the Montreal Canadiens will win the Stanley Cup?"Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-68080110988966015642011-04-21T15:26:00.000-03:002011-04-21T15:26:45.611-03:00Conservative for AbortionI support a woman's right to abort a <a href="http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2011/04/20110419-210812.html">Liberal</a>-<a href="http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080920/election2008_layton_Grits_080922/20080922?s_name=election2008">NDP</a>-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/546315">BQ</a> coalition. <br />
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Outside of that, this subject's like a <a href="http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/003168.html">dead horse pulling a broken wagon</a>, kinda like the one that Michael Ignatieff is trying to ride to a Liberal victory. It doesn't matter how many <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/21/cv-election-parenthood-042111.html#">State Broadcasters</a> say so, resurrecting this isn't going to get Michael Ignatieff elected to the top job.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-16861779721600640742011-04-21T14:33:00.001-03:002011-04-21T14:43:28.350-03:00Could Jack Layton Be The Next Prime Minister?Reviewing the headline stories today, the upward trending of the NDP campaign could change the outcome of this election in a way that I don't think anyone has thought possible.<br />
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Leading headlines today include the following: (<a href="http://www.newswatchcanada.ca/">h/t Newswatch Canada</a>)<br />
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<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/with-layton-surging-pollster-sees-wild-ride-ahead/article1994104/">Nik Nanos Sees Wild Ride Ahead</a><br />
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<a href="http://ipolitics.ca/2011/04/21/ndp-surges-in-quebec-bloc-quebecois-dropping/">NDP Surges in Quebec</a><br />
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I'm a curious person. Considering that Jack Layton has said quite frequently, and I have every reason to believe him, that he's very open and willing to enter into a coalition with the Liberals, what would happen if his party came second place thereby making his party the Official Opposition?<br />
Would it be too far fetched to see him offer a hand to the Liberal Party to form government with him, backed by the Bloc Quebecois who socially seem to be political twins to the NDP?<br />
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Michael Ignatieff has created a very blurry picture of what he would or would not do if his party came in second place to a Conservative minority government. If Michael is tossed from the party and sent back to Harvard, the dying remnants of the Liberal Party may feel they have no choice but to join Jack Layton's NDP if they ever wish to have any grasp of power in their lifetime. We already know where Jack Layton stands on this issue, he has never denied his aspirations of power or the methods he would use to obtain it. <br />
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Unless there's a Conservative majority government on May 2, I think we'll be witnessing the rebirth of Bob Rae, the New Democrat and waving goodbye to Bob Rae the Liberal.<br />
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<a href="http://cruxofthematterinfo.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/the-news-today-jack-layton-as-pm-abortion-hidden-agenda/">OOPS UPDATE: Looks like Sandy beat me to the punch.</a>Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-34712065549818328492011-04-15T13:18:00.000-03:002011-04-15T13:18:25.436-03:00Election Signs - Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXbz6UO-Q_zCh9B7dJrmHzOGYlys66kNvcFRjOFPP7IYwf3PWNNdL1Xm_pW45vJ5Kr7bFJcT4SHx21gHOKCqtNyZaHrdTYwuNLAWgNmoZpVReV4DYUClsL3F0AvxCwvRB9pdJ/s1600/lawnsign+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXbz6UO-Q_zCh9B7dJrmHzOGYlys66kNvcFRjOFPP7IYwf3PWNNdL1Xm_pW45vJ5Kr7bFJcT4SHx21gHOKCqtNyZaHrdTYwuNLAWgNmoZpVReV4DYUClsL3F0AvxCwvRB9pdJ/s320/lawnsign+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-59974487095955166802011-04-13T00:06:00.001-03:002011-04-13T00:07:58.194-03:00Debate Highlights1) Ignatieff didn't accidentally go to the wrong country and end up at a debate in London, England or in New York City.<br />
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2) Harper didn't say "coalition" five hundred times.<br />
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3) Ignatieff almost made me spew my Canadian Club when he chided Harper by saying "This isn't a debate".<br />
TV Guide must've lied to me.<br />
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4) Layton managed to get Ignatieff to start the old finger-wagging when he was asked about his attendance record in the House of Commons. I thought he was going to give Jack detention.<br />
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5) Harper managed to point out to voters that the purchase of the Jet Fighters is not for another 5 to 10 years, or in political terms 7 more election cycles.<br />
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6) All parties agreed to ask the Auditor General to release the report early. Apparently, Parliament's broke but the debate studio isn't. Can we fit 308 MPs in there?Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-18676544168898351662011-04-11T22:53:00.001-03:002011-04-12T10:50:50.739-03:00A Blessing In Disguise?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBm1L48FnCPBo8JVKUsO9CttKxTxYa9xu_dMNLSpkaSz-_qsGRnpmWbhmQ53EOXdiGAOcHwnYHfzUJAg9g-zbRqsVFsVRp52iVAkLUZautU_ZC80ODSLorty04h6qTleSOAzh/s1600/Sheila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBm1L48FnCPBo8JVKUsO9CttKxTxYa9xu_dMNLSpkaSz-_qsGRnpmWbhmQ53EOXdiGAOcHwnYHfzUJAg9g-zbRqsVFsVRp52iVAkLUZautU_ZC80ODSLorty04h6qTleSOAzh/s400/Sheila.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em>Auditor General Sheila Fraser has declared she will wait until after the May 2 election before she releases a controversial audit into how the Harper government spent millions of dollars relating to last year's G8 summit in Ontario.Moreover, she has stressed that despite there being a leaked draft version making its rounds in the public, only her final report — once it is introduced in Parliament — will represent her audit findings and conclusions.She made the declaration in a written statement released Monday afternoon, just hours after news of the leaked report landed like a bombshell in the federal election campaign.</em></strong><br />
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According to <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/news/refuses+release+leaked+report+into+spending/4596060/story.html">an article in today's Vancouver Sun</a>, Auditor General Sheila Fraser is quoted as saying: <br />
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<em><strong>"I strongly caution the public to wait until our final report . . . has been tabled in Parliament and made public."</strong></em><br />
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Quick out of the gate are the Liberals begging for the report to be released and the NDP wanting a public inquiry. The Conservative Party itself has also asked for the report to be released. I can understand the Liberals asking for the report to be released, but not the NDP. (<a href="http://www.tooclosetocall.ca/2011/03/new-nanos-poll-ndp-voters-switching-to.html">we've seen what happened the last time they tried to bluff Stephen Harper</a>) <br />
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For the Conservatives, the early release of this report is a win, in three possible ways.<br />
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1) It shows that they are transparent and have nothing to hide.<br />
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2) The final report is likely to be more factual, and will probably absolve the party of anything illegal. If it's negative, it may not make them look like great money managers on this front, but in that case<br />
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3) It'll make them look more credible on their estimates for the purchase of new fighter aircraft after the 2015 election and more credible in their deficit fighting plan and refusal to raise taxes as the Liberals and NDP want to do.<br />
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Why would I assume that a <em>negative </em>Auditor General's report would make them look more fiscally responsible in these other areas? Well, if the parliamentary budget officer was able to give the G8 & G20 spending a thumbs up for openess and transparency and accuracy while Sheila Fraser is reporting the opposite, then how can we trust his departments numbers when it comes to predicting the costs of military purchases for 30 years down the road?Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-30598679483480426082011-04-08T01:43:00.000-03:002011-04-08T01:43:50.470-03:00The Two-Faced Torpedo Of Truth TourI'm actually of the opinion that this 300 Million dollar election is worth every penny. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0pR0BFOxqE&NR=1">We finally get to see the contrasts to the man who wishes to run our country</a>. As an American, he claims that torture is necessary. As a Canadian, he tells us that it is uncivilized. As an American, he tells us that being an American is not easy. As a Canadian, he promises to make things easy. Just give him a blank cheque; he's here for you. As an American, he acknowedges that there are people who want to kill them and destroy their way of life. As a Canadian, he's willing to do the same to us, if we elect him. As an American, he believes that they should live the way their constitution demands it. As a Canadian, he wants you to believe that he will sidestep our constitution and assume the responsibilities of the provinces for your betterment. If you elect him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sakfErkGedValrCWRgYImOKePGw64KlKwFbR9vd3lD-dcnUKqDxsiKrg5WrQHjJC67l7Ps4vHUb6-dROJmZL7BsHvzpPvNmO5muRZU0AlENajxSoHruWRTMNqIkmwY4pHJwW/s1600/ignatieff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sakfErkGedValrCWRgYImOKePGw64KlKwFbR9vd3lD-dcnUKqDxsiKrg5WrQHjJC67l7Ps4vHUb6-dROJmZL7BsHvzpPvNmO5muRZU0AlENajxSoHruWRTMNqIkmwY4pHJwW/s320/ignatieff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's not easy being an American. We get that. Unless the Conservative Party under the leadership of Stephen Harper gets elected with a majority government, we will probably discover that it won't be easy being a Canadian. I'm not worried that you didn't come back for me. I'm afraid that you did.Paul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13933783.post-17541751596659615332011-04-02T09:48:00.004-03:002011-04-02T10:06:06.466-03:00Nanos Poll Shows Tories Expanding Lead<a href="http://www.nanosresearch.com/main.asp">New poll from Nanos:</a> <br />
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CPC 41.3 % <br />
Lib 30.3 % <br />
NDP 16.0 % <br />
BQ 8.5% <br />
GPC 3.7% <br />
Undecided 18.1% <br />
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Conservatives: Up. <br />
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Everyone else: Not so muchPaul MacPhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02079670609811458582noreply@blogger.com4